Charleston County Schools Student Achievement: Record Reading and Math Gains

Five years ago, few could have imagined Charleston County School District (CCSD) breaking historic records in student achievement for reading and math. Yet today, that’s exactly what we’ve done. When the pandemic disrupted everything, we didn't just adapt, we reinvented how we serve students.

As South Carolina’s second-largest district, CCSD educates more than 50,000 students across urban, rural, and island communities. Nearly half live in poverty. Our classrooms speak over 60 languages. Every day, we deliver 48,000 meals and travel 31,000 miles to reach 6,000 bus stops. We are big, diverse, and deeply committed.

That commitment is paying off. After a relentless focus on what matters most, our students, we're seeing real, sustained progress. Reading proficiency in Grades 3–8 jumped 15.6 percentage points from spring 2019 to spring 2025, with 65 percent of students scoring proficient or above on the SC READY at the end of the last school year. Math scores rose 5.4 points, with nearly 54 percent of students proficient or above on the state assessment. Every student group improved, outpacing state and national averages. If we continue on this trajectory, nearly every one of our fifth graders will be reading on grade level by 2027. Those kinds of statistics change lives.

Six Student Achievement Strategies Driving Success

1. Clarify Mission and Goals
   We are laser-focused on our mission: to educate and support every child in achieving college, career, and citizenship readiness. We set bold goals. Every strategy, every dollar spent, every conversation is anchored to these goals. When we all row in the same direction, the momentum is unstoppable.
   
2. Prioritize Rigorous, Grade-Level Instruction
   We are committed to Tier 1 instruction for all students. That means high-quality curriculum, acceleration and enrichment over remediation, and a focus on “just-in-time” teaching. We refuse to pull students out of core instruction, even when they are behind. Research from the National Center on Intensive Intervention shows that maintaining access to grade-level content accelerates learning for struggling students. Instead, we ask: What do they need right now to succeed? This shift was a game-changer.
   
3. Build a Data-Driven Culture
   Every decision we make is rooted in data. We use Tableau® dashboards to spot trends, identify needs, and replicate what works. Our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is the umbrella under which we review data, ensuring we address every school’s needs first. We’re transparent with our data: families, teachers, and the community can see our progress in real time. This builds trust and keeps us accountable.
   
4. Invest in Wraparound Services and Tutoring
   Academic success doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We widened our network of supports: mental health services, community partnerships, and targeted tutoring. Summer enrichment camps and tutoring help us close gaps and accelerate learning, especially for our most vulnerable students.
   
5. Empower Teachers through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
   Teachers are the heart of our schools. We invest in PLCs, collaborative coaching, and job-embedded professional learning. Our assessment strategy is clear: predictive analytics and interim assessments help us see what’s working and where we need to adjust. Teachers have forums for feedback, and their voices shape our decisions. When teachers feel supported and heard, morale soars, and so do student outcomes.
6. Use Weighted Student Funding to Support Students Who Need It Most
   When relief funds arrived, we invested strategically. Our weighted student funding (WSF) model ensures resources go where they’re needed most, based on student populations and needs. This means more support for students with disabilities, Multilingual Learners, and those living in poverty.

Educational Excellence: Core Beliefs Driving Student Achievement

Fueling these strategies is a set of core beliefs that unite everyone in our school district, from teachers to administrators. This shared mindset and relentless belief in the potential of our students continues to push us toward excellence. Here’s what we believe:

• Instructional Excellence Fuels Success
  Teachers matter, and so does quality teaching. At CCSD, every lesson and every student interaction shapes the future.
  
• Literacy Lights the Way
  Literacy unlocks opportunity. That’s why we embrace the Science of Reading, bring in mentors, and make reading a priority. When students read, doors open.
• Invest in Our Most Vulnerable Learners
  Not every student has had the same opportunities. Our WSF model ensures schools serving students in poverty get what they need to help every child succeed.
• Collaboration Changes Everything
  Two teachers. One classroom. Double the impact. Through our partnership with Clemson University, coteaching and small group instruction are transforming learning.
• Partnerships Drive Progress
  Community matters. Local businesses, colleges, and neighbors are joining forces to lift up our students. Together, we’re building an ecosystem of support.
• Learner-Centered, Data-Driven Decisions
  Data keeps us honest. We measure, adjust, and improve. Because if we don’t inspect what we expect, we’ll never deliver the outcomes students deserve.

Building a Culture of Student Success in Charleston County

Change isn’t easy. But when you see growth in your students, achievement follows. We’re building a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to make a difference. But we’re not done yet. Teachers: You are the spark. You are the change. Let’s keep pushing forward together!

Read the Charleston County School District Impact Story to find out more!

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